Beer from Here: NoDa Brewing Company – Hop, Drop ‘n Roll

The Charlotte beer scene is exploding and the city’s most prolific brewery, NoDa Brewing Company, is leading the charge. The brewhouse opened in 2011 and is named after the city’s bohemian and artistic neighborhood—NoDa, short for North Davidson Street. Head brewer Chad Henderson utilizes a 15-barrel system to create six year-round elixirs, including the award winning Hop, Drop ‘n Roll (2014 World Beer Cup® Gold Award Winner, American-Style IPA) and Coco Loco Porter (2012 Great American Beer Festival Silver Medal, Robust Porter), as well as seven seasonals.

NoDa’s beer is so popular, the brewery has had a hard time keeping up with demand and mostly focuses its distribution efforts in the Charlotte area. I consider myself lucky whenever a local bottle shop picks up a shipment or NoDa makes a special delivery to the Triangle. A four-pack or two of Hop, Drop ‘n Roll is just what the doctor ordered. I’m surprised it’s taken me so long to review this wonderful beer.

A golden, copper-orange liquid emerged from the 16 oz. can as I poured the IPA into a Spieglau glass. A fluffy, three finger head covered the clear ale like a blanket. Tropical, floral, grassy and honey scents were immediately recognizable, along with caramel undertones. The body boasted moderate carbonation.

The hop profile of HDR is second to none. It reminds me a several famous New England IPAs. My taste buds swam in a basket of fruit and pine. Mango, grapefruit, juicy fruit, resin and caramel. The Vienna and wheat malts added a sticky, but balanced malt backbone to the medium bodied beer. Towards the end, a slight bitterness with notes of sap and more juicy fruit. This beer was dank and the glass yielded plenty of spongy lacing that held on for dear life. This wasn’t the first time this brew quenched my need for hops and it wouldn’t be the last.

HDR is one of my favorite IPAs and a great take on the style. Bitter, but balanced. A dank hop profile. Refreshing with a barely detectable 7.2% ABV. It’s an awesome west-coast style IPA created here, in the great state of North Carolina. We’re lucky to have it. If you enjoy IPAs, then it’s a must try. You’ll savor every sip.

Hop, Drop n’ Roll and other NoDa beers can be found in bars, restaurants and specialty stores around Charlotte. Due to demand, the beers don’t often make it far outside the region, but things could change in the future. Late last year, the brewery announced plans for a new facility, which will feature a 60-barrel system that will more than double its current production.